The Theatre of Dreams (31st July 2014)

Old Trafford: The Theatre of Dreams (nicknamed by Sir Bobby Charlton) is the home ground of Manchester United, the most successful club in all of England. Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath before transforming into Manchester United in 1902, the club has 20 League titles, 11 FA Cups, 3 European titles, 1 Club World Cup among a plethora of many other trophies. They are the only club in England to ever win the Premier League-FA Cup-UEFA Champions League treble in 1999 under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Featured here is the North Stand, now known as the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand. Following the retirement of Sir Alex, United slumped to 7th in the 2013-14 season, our worst ever finish in the Premier League. Enter the Van Gaal and Giggs era! 4 months in, things are still wobbly but we always BELIEVE.

We'll keep the Red flags flying high, cos Man United never die!

Enter the Stadium! Standing at the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, looking across to the South Stand, which used to be our main stand. On either sides of the stand are the studios that MUTV (east) and other broadcasters (BBC/BT/Sky etc.) use on match days.

The tunnel seen below is the only part of the original stadium (built in 1910) that still stands.

Welcome to Old Trafford, The Theatre of Dreams! All kitted out! When the great Sir Bobby Charlton names it "Theatre of Dreams", you jolly well keep the name!

Even my little sister is well-kitted out!

My little sister at the East Stand.

There is a section here reserved specially for the disabled. More about the East Stand when we headed out...

Seen in the background are the North and West Stands, better known today as the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End, as seen emblazoned across the roof.

The Stretford End is where the loudest and most hardcore United fans are. It's so intense that in some games, the Stretford End literally sucked the ball into the goal for United to go on to win the game!

What's missing here are the famous series of Stretford End banners which are on display during matches. The legendary Denis Law also has a statue on the upper concourse of the stand. He's not called the King of the Stretford End for no reason!

With just the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand now. It is Old Trafford's main stand and was renamed on 5th November 2011, in honour of Sir Alex's amazing 25 years as United manager.

The Impossible Dream, Made Possible by Sir Alex Ferguson! (Cue Andy Williams "The Impossible Dream")

Thank you, Sir Alex!

Back outside the stadium at the East Stand. In my opinion, it's the most important stand of Old Trafford because it is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Munich disaster in 1958. A plaque with the names of the 11 Manchester United staff and players along with the last photo of the Busby Babes can be seen here as well.

Contrary to the belief that the clock permanently displays 3.04pm, this clock is a working clock.

The Munich Air Disaster is ingrained into the history of Manchester United more than anything. While it's been more than 5 decades since it happened, it is never forgotten. All true red United fans will know this and will always remember the 6th of February 1958.

There were 12 others who didn't make it after the crash and their names can be found in the Munich Tunnel.

With the help of Jimmy Murphy, Matt Busby rebuilt United from scratch and won the European Cup a decade on. (Real Madrid had offered to give the trophy they won in 1958 to United but UEFA being who they are didn't allow for it) 50 years on, Edwin van der Sar produced the crucial penalty save that won United our 3rd European crown at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.

In the press room, where new signings' and UEFA press conferences are carried out. 

Apparently, it's not often that you'll get to take a photo in here if you're not the manager of Manchester United. It was certainly a privilege to have a photo in the press room with my little sister!

The Premium seats and the best seats in Old Trafford! Seen here are some that are reserved for Sir Bobby Charlton and our former Chief Executive, David Gill. There are also seats reserved for United's greatest ever manager as well: Sir Alex Ferguson.

Before entering the dressing room. The first one to greet you is Britain's most decorated football player and the current assistant manager. Granted, his off the pitch business is terrible, but on the football field, he was an absolute legend. Tearing you apart since 1991: Ryan Giggs!

Enter the dressing room...

David De Gea was United's standout performer in a season to forget in 13/14 and he has been up to mark so far. When you make superhuman saves on a weekly basis to spare the defence's blushes, you know you're a top keeper! Good boy David!

Also seen here is David's backup, Anders Lindegaard along with Rafael da Silva, who has yet to fully take over Gary Neville's right-back role. Hope you return from injury soon during the busy festive period.

Darren Fletcher deserves a lot of respect, for battling his debilitating illness and coming back into the team. Got his reward by being named vice-captain too. But with less games to rotate the squad, he hasn't got much playing time yet. With the hectic December period on now, his experience is needed.

Never forget your looping headed goal against Chelsea that silenced your strongest critics!

Alongside him are Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, who Sir Alex regarded as the next generation of United's mainstay centre-halves. Maybe once they've proven their fitness, Louis van Gaal will get them to that level!

Becoming United and England captain has given him a host of new responsibilities. But aside from a moment of rashness, he's improved his game, not got rattled as easily as before and played like a mature captain against Arsenal. Good on you, Wayne.

Juan Mata, probably the nicest football player you'll meet. Never one to provoke or be provoked, he's a real classy No.10 too. It's a pity he's been in and out of the team because of the regular formation changes because of injuries. The need for fresh players during a hectic December will surely do him some good.

Since Sir Alex retired, Van Persie hasn't been the same goalscorer he'd been when he first arrived in 2012. It's like he's aged 5 years. Still, class is permanent and I'm sure a classy Van Persie will score goals when the team has settled after the injury nightmare goes away.

He's beginning to look like he's back again with a match-winning performance at the St Mary's.

Ohh! Robin van Persie!

Near the dugout area where the teams are on matchdays, with the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand in the background!

The Home Team dugout, where United's greatest players would often come off the bench to win the game in Fergie Time.

"Signing for United is the proudest moment of my life"

Looking across to the Stretford End.

Aside from Denis Law, the only other player who has attained "King of the Stretford End" status is the one and only King, Eric Cantona.

It's the Christmas season, don't you hear "The Twelve Days of Cantonas" being belted out right now? Any true United fan would!

Back in from the old Players' Tunnel and that was it for the stadium tour.

Special thanks to Ethan, a Stretford End faithful, who guided us through in stadium interior. I don't think I'm as hardcore as the Stretford End faithful but Ethan says I'm pretty close and I take that as a compliment!

Heading out to see the United Trinity! George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. The statue was unveiled, directly opposite Sir Matt's on the 29th May 2008, 40 years on from the day United first won the European Cup in 1968. It was 8 days after United defeated Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia to becomes Kings of Europe for the 3rd time.

The Lengendary Sir Matt Busby's success and longevity is surpassed only by Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Matt won us 5 First Division titles, 2 FA Cups, 5 Charity Shields and 1 European Cup in the 25 years at helm.

The similarities between him and Sir Alex are plenty, not just in terms of long-term success but even in name. They both share the name Alexander...

The exterior of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand where his statue is flanked by 2 giant posters of him. The one on the left is him lifting his 12th and penultimate Premier League trophy and on the right is him lifting the Club World Cup trophy.

The stand was renamed on 5th November 2012, on the eve of Sir Alex's 25 years at the club. He went on to manage another year and a half before retiring on a high with his 13th and United's 20th title!

The 9-foot high statue of Sir Alex was sculpted by Phillip Jackson, who was also commissioned to sculpt the statues of Sir Matt and the United Trinity.

The bronze statue was unveiled on the 23rd November 2012 by Sir Alex's greatest supporter, his wife, Lady Catherine Ferguson.

Inside the Manchester United museum sitting with the great Jolly Green Giant, Edwin van der Sar, the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo... and er... Nani. That's the Club World Cup that we won in 2008!

Here with the Class of 92 who proved the Scouse rat, Alan Hansen wrong!

As said by Paul Scholes, the midfield maestro who is highly regarded as the best midfielder of his generation, ""We were the lucky ones… and what we did will never happen again."

The Treble, consisting of the domestic double (Premier League and FA Cup) and the Champions League/European Cup, won in 1999. No other English team has managed to achieve this in the Premier League era.

I can't remember when I began supporting United but all I know is that from a young age, I was already in a United shirt even though no one in my extended family was a football fan (meaning no one would have tried to influence me). Coming to Old Trafford is a dream come true and the next step to expanding my dream would be to be inside on a magical European night soon!

This Old Trafford photo storybook marks the end of 2014, at least from a work perspective. With work for the rest of the year done and dusted. It's time to travel again!

(Posted on 10th December 2014)

Manchester: Concilio et Labore (31st July 2014)

"Concilio et Labore", loosely translated to Wisdom and Effort, is the motto of the City of Manchester. Thanks to the city's history, it's got a few nicknames of its own. Most notably, Madchester, thanks to the music scene that happened between the late 80s and the early 90s.

While most people who have the slightest knowledge of football will associate the city with Manchester United (and City), there is plenty of other defining things that make Manchester the city it is. It was just a pity that I didn't have much time to explore it. Hopefully, that might change in the near future!

Seen here in the album cover is the Manchester Town Hall. Featuring an 85m clock tower, the Town Hall has a Gothic Revival architectural style that is regarded as one of the best interpretations in the world.

Came into Manchester with the sole purpose of heading to Stretford, Greater Manchester to see the biggest football club stadium in the UK (second in terms of size only to Wembley, the national stadium). Old Trafford has its own special feature album, so here's a handful of highlights from the extremely rushed day in Manchester.

The new 173 feet (52.7m) Wheel of Manchester standing tall at Piccadilly Gardens in the Manchester City Centre.

This new wheel was only installed in 2013, in time for the New Year celebrations. It is smaller than its previous incarnation which was 60m high and at Exchange Square.

The Singapore Flyer (the world's 2nd largest ferris wheel after the 31st March 2014 opening of the Las Vegas High Roller) stands at 541 feet (165m). That's 3 times higher! Just putting it into perspective...

The National Football Museum was established in 2001 to preserve important football artefacts. It only moved to Manchester in 2012. Prior to that, it was housed in Deepdale, Preston, Lancashire. It was moved to Manchester due to funding issues.

Now housed in the Urbis exhibition centre, the National Football Museum is probably one museum I can spend days in and never get bored of it.

So it will come as a huge surprise that I didn't even get to step inside due to time constraint. More reasons for me to return to Manchester again then!

With the Manchester Cathedral, which (along with the Manchester Town Hall) is among the 47 Grade 1 listed buildings in Greater Manchester.

Grade 1 buildings are regarded as "buildings of exceptional interest" whereby it could be architecturally, culturally or historically significant to the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester.

UNITED! MAN UNITED!

Making the most of whatever time there was left in Manchester before the train back to London Euston.

Here's the Royal Exchange Theatre that is housed within the Royal Exchange complex. In the past, the Royal Exchange was used only for trading of cotton and textiles. Today, it is still used for commodities exchange, though not solely on textiles.

Many successful actors and actresses had previously made a name for themselves at the Royal Exchange Theatre before going into film and television. Notable ones include multi-Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, Michael Sheen and the most recent Spiderman, Andrew Garfield.

Much like a lot of other cities in Europe, Manchester was undergoing some serious renovation and maintenance works. Thankfully, the Manchester Central Library had just completed a 4-year renovation project and was reopened earlier in March 2014. This meant that I could see it in full without annoying barricades.

Pretty sure your first glance at it would trigger an immediate association to the Pantheon in Rome, Italy. The columned portico is a dead giveaway. Even the Rotunda looks similar. Although it has to be said that it seems a little rounder than the Pantheon.

That was all for Manchester and it certainly left me wanting more. I absolutely have to come back again, that I'm sure because I've not even seen enough of it.

There's the penultimate chapter and for the grand finale... it's time to head to Sir Matt Busby Way!

London IV: "The Square Mile" (30th July-1st August 2014)

The City of London is known as the Square Mile, because it measures 1.12 square miles or 2.9 square kilometres. Before going on further, I must apologize that this photo and the album title is a little misleading.

Let me explain why. Firstly, what I refer to London in this album refers to the capital city as a whole. The Square Mile only refers to the ceremonial county of the City of London. Sounds confusing eh? Secondly, the Big Ben (as seen in the album cover) is not in the City of London but is in the City of Westminster.

Even more confused? Never mind then. Let's see if going around the Capital City of London will clear that up a little.

My Mum with her Little Ben and the Big Ben behind her.

"Big Ben" is actually the nickname of the clock and the tower and not it's actual name. It is known as the "Elizabeth Tower" after it was renamed from "Clock Tower" in 2012 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

Guess 1 Ben isn't enough in this family ;)

The "Big Ben" Elizabeth Tower is one of the most iconic symbols of the United Kingdom. As such, it is often portrayed in films as the symbolic representation of both London as well as UK as a whole. The 4-faced chiming clock seen on the tower is largest in the world.

In filmmaking context, the Elizabeth Tower is often used as the "establishing shot" to indicate the location of London. The other landmark that often comes hand in hand with it is the London Eye.

Palace of Westminster (check), Elizabeth Tower (check), Westminster Bridge (check), red double-decker bus (check)

This is perhaps the best way to depict London. Only thing missing is a black London cab, although there is a white one just behind the bus.

Just to clear things up again, this is in the City of Westminster, located West of the City of London. The reason why there's confusion is because today's "London" no longer refers to just the "City of London" itself but to the Administrative Region of "Greater London".

People are generally more familiar with the Western façade of the Westminster Abbey because of the Great West Door and the 2 towers. But I'm not one for familiarity so I've chosen the Eastern façade for our photo instead.

There have been 16 Royal Weddings held here. The most recent one being Prince William and Catherine Middleton's (now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) in 2011.

Still in the City of Westminster, this is the National Gallery located in Trafalgar Square. Was here for the first time back in March and had the opportunity to go inside to explore the art works. 

Apparently, they weren't as interested as I was in visiting the 4th most visited art gallery in the world (after the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum also in London and the Met in New York). And I thought I was coming here for the second time...

Now we're in the City of London. Already got the key shots of St. Paul's the last time I was here, so I wanted something different. This was taken along Peter's Hill towards the Millennium Bridge.

The City of London consists of other major landmarks including the Monument to commemorate the Great Fire of London, the Bank of England and 30 St Mary Axe (better known as the Gherkin), all of which are not featured in this album.

That's the Tower Bridge you see in the distance along with the HMS Belfast (which houses the Imperial War Museum).

No, that is NOT the London Bridge because this photo was taken while on the London Bridge itself. There's no confusion here alright. People often mistake the Tower Bridge as the London Bridge when it's 2 completely different bridges.

Never knew this? Well, now you do! (Even though you're supposed to know this if you've seen London Town from March earlier).

Here it is "closer-up". The Tower Bridge. It links the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Southwark. Tower Hamlets is where the Tower of London is and Southwark is where you'll find Tate Modern and the Shard.

The beautiful glow of the evening sun!

The Royal Standard, seen at the top of one of the smaller towers in the Tower of London.

Still fascinated by Boris Johnson's office it seems. Also located in Southwark, this is City Hall, the headquarters of the Greater London Authority (GLA) which was established in 2000.

According to Fosters and Partners, the architecture firm behind its building and construction, City Hall's peculiar shape was meant to improve energy efficiency. This is widely disputed because it's almost entirely made of glass and measurements recorded seemed to prove otherwise.

The Tower of London belongs to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and is just outside the City of London. I suppose you could say that Tower Hill is the distinguishing line.

The red poppies commemorating the 100th year since the 1st World War were already beginning to fill up the place.

The Tower of London has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

A solitary Queen's Guard marching at the Buckingham Palace. Also located in the City of Westminster, it is the London residence of the monarchs of the UK.

The Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace at the centre of Queen's Gardens. It is dedicated to Queen Victoria. A similar memorial, that I would visit 2 days later, is one of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, is found in Kensington Gardens.

With the Buckingham Palace in the background, and a friend who just happened to walk by.

It's a little bit like the Istana, if you put it into Singapore context. It takes £15 million to maintain the palace on a yearly basis. That is really quite extraordinary! I suppose you could buy an Ángel Di Maria if you don't maintain it for 4 years...

That was it for the day tour so it was time to settle home for some home-cooked Singapore food. Was great to have my buddy around to savour the good stuff!

After returning from Manchester and arriving at King's Cross Station. Everybody comes to Platform 9 and 3/4 to see if they can cross into the magical world. But I know I'm no Wizard, so I just couldn't be bothered to try.

My little sister doesn't seem very interested to try either. Proud to be a Muggle then! ;)

Into the final full day in London and I found myself in South Kensington... Here's the Queen's Tower, located in the campus of the Imperial College of London. If you take all 325 steps up to the top, you'll get the beautiful view of West London from all sides.

The Legendary Royal Albert Hall! One of the UK's most treasured buildings for performing arts. Performing here is a dream come true for any artist and more so if they're form the UK.

My favourite recent performance here is most definitely the one from Adele in 2011, where her live rendition of "Set Fire to the Rain" won her a 9th Grammy in 2013. She's already into double figures after winning her 10th for Skyfall earlier this year!

The Albert Memorial, first mentioned earlier together with The Victoria Memorial. Found in Kensington Gardens, this memorial was commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her husband, Prince Albert.

It might not be very clear, but the words on the canopy above Prince Albert's statue says "Queen Victoria and Her People". The full legend, if you put all 4 sides together says "Queen Victoria And Her People • To The Memory Of Albert Prince Consort • As A Tribute Of Their Gratitude • For A Life Devoted to the Public Good."

It's funny how I choose a lake as the final photo for London (and chronologically for the entire trip). I figure you don't always have to go out spectacularly. But maybe I'll leave that to the last 2 albums in Manchester and Greater Manchester.

This is it then... Chronologically, the final photo of this part of my story album, this is the Serpentine. Found in Hyde Park, this curving lake (which only has one bend) is the divide between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

Then, it was time to head to Heathrow on an A380 homebound to celebrate National Day before going outbound again!